Prime Minister Han Seung-sook attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd Korea Grand Festival in Andong on October 31, announcing plans to expand consumer spending initiatives and support domestic consumption.
In her speech, Han stated, "The government will create more consumer promotion events," adding, "I will do my utmost to alleviate concerns about how people are doing, especially when the country is thriving, and taxes are being collected well."
She explained that the purpose of the Korea Grand Festival is to consolidate various government-sponsored festivals into a single, visible event.
Han also reflected on her experience as the Minister of SMEs and Startups during last year's inaugural event, expressing her concerns about how to effectively sell products from small businesses, traditional markets, and local shops. She highlighted the integration of performances and travel into consumer events.
"We aimed to create an enjoyable shopping experience where people can see performances by their favorite stars at the festival," she said, noting that autumn is a great time for travel, which is why the opening ceremony was held in the region.
Mentioning that Andong is the hometown of President Lee Jae-myung, she conveyed the president's greetings to the local residents, as requested during a Cabinet meeting.
Han, along with Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young, visited a traditional market in Andong to encourage merchants and sample local delicacies such as Andong soju, wine, jjimdak, and apples.
The Korea Grand Festival is a national consumer festival that integrates spending events from various government ministries. It runs nationwide from October 29 to November 15, spanning 18 days.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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